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The Teenage Brain

A Neuroscientist's Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults

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The Teenage Brain

By: Frances E. Jensen, Amy Ellis Nutt
Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard, Amy Ellis Nutt
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About this listen

Why is it that the behaviour of teenagers can be so odd? As they grow older, young children steadily improve their sense of how to behave, and then all of a sudden, they can become totally uncommunicative, wildly emotional and completely unpredictable.

We used to think that erratic teenage behaviour was due to a sudden surge in hormones, but modern neuroscience shows us that this isn’t true. The Teenage Brain is a journey through the new discoveries that show us exactly what happens to the brain in this crucial period, how it dictates teenagers’ behaviour, and how the experiences of our teenage years are what shape our attitudes, and often our happiness in later life.

Many of our ideas about our growing brains are completely re-written. They don’t stop developing at the end of our teens – they keep adapting until we are in our mid-twenties. They are wired back to front, with the most important parts, the parts that we associate with good judgement, concentration, organization and emotional and behavioural control being connected last of all.

The Teenage brain is a powerful animal primed for learning, but this creates problems. Addiction is a form of learning, and Frances Jensen, Professor of Pediatric Neurology at the teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School reveals exactly what lies behind all aspects of teenage behaviour and its lasting effects – from drugs, lack of sleep and smoking to multi-tasking and stress.

As a mother and a scientist, Professor Jensen offers both exciting science and practical suggestions for how parents, teens and schools can help teenagers weather the storms of adolescence, and get the most out of their incredible brains.

©2015 Frances E. Jensen (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Parenting & Families Relationships Young Adult Human Brain Mental Health Tobacco

Editorial reviews

Teenage brains are deconstructed and investigated in the essential audiobook guide for teens and parents The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Teenagers and Young Adults, written by Neuroscientist and mother Professor Frances Jensen with the help of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Amy Ellis Nutt. A commendable narration is given by Nutt and Laurence Bouvard, who take listeners through the teenage brain on a scientific level, highlighting just how unique and incredible the changes are during this period of life. Teenagers and parents are now able to get a far better understanding of why young people behave and think the way they do. Available now from Audible.

Critic Reviews

"Dr. Jensen uses her considerable expertise as a neuroscientist and a mother to explain the recent explosion of adolescent brain research and how this research can help us better understand and help young people. This book also highlights biologically inherent opportunities to enhance the health and well-being of young people during the second decade of life… opportunities we should not be missing." (Carol A. Ford, M.D. President, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; Professor of Paediatrics, University of Pennsylvania; and Chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
"Jensen has brilliantly translated academic science and clinical studies into easily understandable chapters to highlight the many changes in connections and plasticity of the brain. The book is a ‘must read' for parents, teachers, school nurses, and many others who live with or interact with teens. Understanding the susceptibility of the brain to drugs and stressors is not presented as an excuse but rather as a new framework for readers to approach parenting or teaching with more science and more evidence-based, practical advice." (S. Jean Emans, MD. Chief, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital; Professor of Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School)

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a must read for all parents, highly recommended

a must read for all parents preferably before teenage years but also very beneficial during! a real wealth of knowledge and data. highly recommended

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Great advice and very relatable

I loved this book and it has helped me deal with and understand my 15-year old son much better. I also have a 12-year old and this book has equipped me to handle my teens with much more understanding and love.

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